Darling! It's me, your gal Emma, and welcome to my monthly ramblings of #DragQueenHistory on the www.pink-tutu.com! October 10th! How utterly glamorous! 1939! Why you ask? Well, today, darlings, I'm taking you all on a delightful whirl through time, a whimsical waltz in my sparkly time-travelling tutu! We're about to dive into the flamboyant world of drag as it was in 1939, so hold onto your feathers, babes, we're about to take flight!
Firstly, you've gotta give me a shout-out for being a true style icon, you simply have to! That pink tutu? Totally working for the 1939 vibe, darling! Just imagine it – swirling through the cobbled streets of London in my shimmering pink confection, dazzling onlookers with every twirl, and then getting whisked away to the theatres in a vintage taxi! It's a scene fit for a classic Hollywood musical.
Now, I just know you’re all agog, positively dying to know what drag scene I found myself strutting through on this glorious October day! I must say, darling, while today was a touch "WWII-ting", that’s the best way to describe the somber atmosphere. People weren’t as interested in parties and flamboyance. However, as always, where there’s a will to entertain, there's a way! The stage was not completely deserted!
You know how much I adore those elegant theatres, the smoky glamour and the echoing applause! Today, darlings, I discovered one little gem, The 'Queen's Cabaret,' tucked away in a dimly lit corner of the West End. You’d hardly think there'd be drag, but there was, a hidden haven of laughter and fabulousness in a time of uncertainty. The show was billed as "An Evening of Thrills and Shivers," promising something exciting and utterly charming. And what did they bring to the stage, you ask? The most exquisite illusionists and contortionists I have ever seen, dressed to the nines, of course.
Oh, don’t let the title fool you. The whole show was oozing a delicious kind of mischief. I mean, it had just the right blend of theatrical performance, audience participation and comedy – it was fabulous, darling! One illusionist called himself ‘The Great Mystico’, a showman, just a marvel, really! He would transform right before your eyes from a flamboyant male figure dressed in all pink into this elegant lady – it was so charming and totally enchanting. You'd think “pink is in the air tonight!" and you'd not be wrong darling. The illusionist was clad in this glorious, blush-pink shimmering frock – absolutely gorgeous, the pink, and the entire stage was draped in a shimmering, pinky-red gauze! Oh, the glamour was so divine, you know, so much for wartime drab!
Oh, darling, you simply won't believe the kind of pink costumes I saw! Now, you’ve just gotta remember, in the 1930s the whole concept of ‘gender fluidity’ was a revolutionary thought, so I'm pretty sure that a lady with a full-on flamboyant pink feather boa, high-heeled pumps, a full face of makeup, and an impressive talent for creating illusions was something utterly different for most of the audience. This was something truly spectacular for everyone – an escape into a world where imagination was the leading character, and you could let your inner fabulous self run wild. I can tell you, I danced in my pink tutu throughout the show! You might find pink as just another color now, darling, but back in the 30s, pink meant rebellion and excitement - it really did, and I think this little bit of pink-themed drag magic really brought a whole lot of light into this difficult time, it truly did!
It wasn’t just the 'The Queen's Cabaret’ I saw today! Oh, honey! I did a spot of shopping as well, of course, after all you can’t have a proper travel adventure without a spot of retail therapy! London was abuzz with the latest fashion. Just outside the theatre, nestled in amongst the busy streets was a tiny, little antique shop. Now, honey, I adore antiques, you know that, but this little shop was positively brimming with glorious old costume jewellery. Now I have to tell you all, it wasn’t the jewels that made my little heart go thump, oh no, no, it was the colours! Darling, it felt as though they had a pink-filled, dream of fashion. They’d chosen only those rich, deep, decadent shades of pinks. There was everything you could want – bracelets, necklaces, earrings - and oh, I spotted some amazing vintage rings! So chic, so charming!
It is not often you find the history of the drag movement celebrated, particularly the subtle glamour of 1930s drag. So I had to spend a bit of time browsing before leaving for a little bit of entertainment and excitement to truly top off a simply brilliant day. You can tell I just love to see a drag show, really I do! As the sun dipped down and illuminated the city with a romantic, sunset glow, I took in a wonderfully charming Drag Cabaret in a secret club in Soho, the 'Secret Salon', honey. It wasn’t even on the map, darling. I had to look it up online using my sparkly pink mobile (don’t you all want to do a bit of time travelling yourself?). You'll find that online maps haven't caught on much, they’re just as clueless as ever, and my time-travelling tutu only takes me so far in time, darling, no backwards leaps in the years for now.
I mean it was, I can't say it, oh, darlings you all just need to go! But I'll be honest. This drag cabaret in the 'Secret Salon', a glamorous gathering place tucked away down an anonymous street with a red velvet rope and a sassy ‘Secret Salon' neon sign? Darling, it's just so delicious! And let me tell you, the drag queens were fabulous – some flamboyant men were all dressed in a very high, feminine style, some of them sporting spectacular pink dresses, the colours, the costumes, oh, you just wouldn’t believe it, and there was a little bit of singing and a whole lot of high heels. What is it about those fabulous, high heels, I mean they simply elevate any outfit, any outfit darling. And don’t even get me started on the incredible dancing! Oh my, the audience simply loved every second. The 'Secret Salon' was pulsating, positively alive. And, what was even better? People were simply celebrating diversity and love! Oh, that truly brought a tear to my eye! I tell you, it made me so happy.
You’ve simply gotta give a shout-out for the fabulous drag performers, darling, and especially their incredible outfits, everything they had on - the jewels, the feather boas, the glamour – it’s simply to die for. What can I tell you! These talented, wonderful drag queens were giving all that extra 110%! They put every ounce of their energy into each show – dancing, singing, cracking jokes! Darling, it just proves that there's nothing better than live entertainment. What really stood out about the Secret Salon show is the fact that people from all walks of life simply forgot about the world, the woes of everyday life and simply gave in to the joy, to the celebration. And this, darlings, is the true essence of the power of drag – it can truly transport you, to another realm where laughter, music, and sequins, yes darling, sequins! take the stage! It’s the ultimate escape from reality. I’m sure I need not explain why a time-travelling drag queen loves the sparkle! It brings so much light and cheer to every age, every day, in every country.
Today, October 10th 1939, proved to be a journey full of amazing shows, sparkly pink tutus, the biggest grins, the glitziest glamour and just plain pure magic, darling. The power of a flamboyant pink tutu in the theatre really captured my imagination, and what a magical place for an escape from the mundane, an opportunity for everyone to truly shine! So until next time, you all keep sparkling, darling, keep the dream alive.
